Glucocorticoid modulates oxidative and thermogenic function of rat brown adipose tissue and human brown adipocytes.

Chronic and excessive glucocorticoid (GC) exposure can cause Cushing's syndrome, resulting in fat accumulation in selected body areas. Particularly in the brown adipose tissue (BAT), GC acts negatively, resulting in whitening of the tissue. We hypothesized that dysregulation of microRNAs by GC could be an additional mechanism to explain its negative actions in BAT. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: (1) Control sham and (2) GC group that was administered dexamethasone 6.25 mg/200 µL via osmotic pump implantation over 28 days. After this period, the animals were euthanized and BAT tissue was properly stored. Human fat cells treated with dexamethasone were used to translate the experimental results found in animals to human biology. GC-treated rat BAT presented with large lipid droplets, severely impaired thermogenic activation, and reduced glucose uptake measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT. GC exposure induced a reduction in the mitochondrial OXPHOS system and oxygen consumption. MicroRNA profiling of BAT revealed five top-regulated microRNAs and among them miR-21-5p was the most significantly upregulated in GC-treated rats compared to the control group. Although upregulation of miR-21-5p in the tissue, differentiated primary brown adipocytes from GC-treated rats had decreased miR-21-5p levels compared to the control group. To translate these results to the clinic, human brown adipocytes were treated with dexamethasone and miR-21-5p inhibitor. In human brown cells, inhibition of miR-21-5p increased brown adipocyte differentiation and prevented GC-induced glucose uptake, resulting in a lower glycolysis rate. In conclusion, high-dose GC therapy significantly impacts brown adipose tissue function, with a notable association between glucose uptake and miR-21-5p.

Naphthoquinone derivatives as potential immunomodulators: prospective for COVID-19 treatment.

Inflammation plays a crucial role in COVID-19, and when it becomes dysregulated, it can lead to severe outcomes, including death. Naphthoquinones, a class of cyclic organic compounds widely distributed in nature, have attracted significant interest due to their potential biological benefits. One such naphthoquinone is 3,5,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-(5-oxohexa-1,3-dienyl)-naphthanthene-1,4-dione (3,5,8-TMON), a compound produced by fungi. Despite its structural similarity to shikonin, limited research has been conducted to investigate its biological properties. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 3,5,8-TMON and its synthetic derivatives in the context of inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro using cell cultures. 3,5,8-TMON was obtained by acid treatment of crude extracts of fermentation medium from Cordyceps sp., and two derivatives were accessed by reaction with phenylhydrazine under different conditions. The results revealed that the crude extract of the fungi (C. Ex) inhibited the activity of transcription factor NF-kB, as well as the production of nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) when LPS induced it in RAW 264.7 cells. This inhibitory effect was observed at effective concentrations of 12.5 and 3.12 µg mL-1. In parallel, 3,5,8-TMON and the new derivatives 3 and 4 demonstrated the ability to decrease IL-6 production while increasing TNF, with a specific effect depending on the concentration. These concentration-dependent agonist and antagonist effects were observed in THP-1 cells. Furthermore, 3,5,8-TMON inhibited IL-6 production at concentrations of 12.5 and 3.12 µg mL-1 in Calu-3 cells during SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. These findings present promising opportunities for further research into the therapeutic potential of this class of naphthoquinone in the management of inflammation and viral infections.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids alter the formation of lipid droplets and eicosanoid production in Leishmania promastigotes

BACKGROUND The knowledge about eicosanoid metabolism and lipid droplet (LD) formation in the Leishmania is very limited and new approaches are needed to identify which bioactive molecules are produced of them. OBJECTIVES Herein, we compared LDs and eicosanoids biogenesis in distinct Leishmania species which are etiologic agents of different clinical forms of leishmaniasis. METHODS For this, promastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. infantum were stimulated with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and LD and eicosanoid production was evaluated. We also compared mutations in structural models of human-like cyclooxygenase-2 (GP63) and prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) proteins, as well as the levels of these enzymes in parasite cell extracts. FINDINGS PUFAs modulate the LD formation in L. braziliensis and L. infantum. Leishmania spp with equivalent tissue tropism had same protein mutations in GP63 and PGFS. No differences in GP63 production were observed among Leishmania spp, however PGFS production increased during the parasite differentiation. Stimulation with arachidonic acid resulted in elevated production of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids compared to prostaglandins. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest LD formation and eicosanoid production are distinctly modulated by PUFAS dependent of Leishmania species. In addition, eicosanoid-enzyme mutations are more similar between Leishmania species with same host tropism.

Physical activity in the post-COVID-19: AEROBICOVID project design and perspectives / Atividade física no pós-COVID-19: escopo do projeto AEROBICOVID e suas perspectivas

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several late-onset impairments have been observed, affecting the health and functionality of those involved. On the other hand, lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates and severity of symptoms were observed in high-altitude cities. In this sense, the AEROBICOVID project was developed with the hypothesis that exercise would be an important opportunity for health improvement and that hypoxia would promote additional benefits in the recovery process. The cohort was about 84 participants with approximately 30 days since the COVID-19 symptoms recovery, 25 in the control group, and 59 divided into three moderate physical training groups. The project had good results in teaching, research, and extension, but also faced difficulties in operationalization. This experience is the basis for future proposals through an extension project at the University of São Paulo and in a Family Health Unit, besides a research project that will develop a new low-cost hypoxia technology (AU)

Durante a pandemia de COVID-19 estão sendo observados vários efeitos tardios, afetando a saúde e a funcionalidade dos acometidos. Por outro lado, foram observadas menores taxas de infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 e gravidade dos sintomas em cidades de elevada altitude. Neste sentido, o projeto AEROBICOVID foi desenvolvido com a hipótese de que o exercício seria uma proposta importante para a melhoria da saúde e que a hipóxia promoveria benefícios adicionais no processo de recuperação. Participaram 84 pessoas com aproximadamente 30 dias desde a recuperação dos sintomas da COVID-19, 25 no grupo de controle e 59 divididos em três grupos de treinamento físico moderado. O projeto teve bons resultados no ensino, pesquisa e extensão, mas também enfrentou dificuldades na operacionalização. Estas experiências são a base para propostas futuras através de um projeto de extensão na Universidade de São Paulo e em uma Unidade de Saúde da Família, além de um projeto de pesquisa que desenvolverá uma nova tecnologia de hipóxia de baixo custo (AU)

M1 and M2 macrophages phenotypes modulation after stimuli with materials used in endodontic treatment

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the M1 and M2 macrophage modulation after stimuli with different materials used during endodontic treatment. In bone marrow-derived macrophage cell culture, from males C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice, gene expression analysis of markers to M1 and M2 macrophages was performed by qRT-PCR (Cxcl10, CxCL9, iNOS, Arg1, Chil3, Retnla and MRC1) and cytokine quantification by Luminex® (GM-CSF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) after exposure to the five endodontic sealers: AH Plus, Sealapex Xpress, Endosequence BC Sealer, BioRoot RCS and a calcium hydroxide-based paste. For normal values, ANOVA test was used, followed by Tukey post-test. For non-normal values, the Kruskall-Wallis test was used. BioRootTM RCS and EndoSequence BC SealerTM stimulated the highest expression of markers for M1 macrophages, while calcium hydroxide-based paste stimulated the lowest expression of these gene markers. For M2 protein markers, BioRootTM RCS presented the highest stimulation while calcium hydroxide-based paste also presented the lowest stimulation. It was concluded that all the evaluated filling materials increased the genetic expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers: TNF-α and IL-10 respectively. The others proinflammatory mediators showed differences against the filling materials. However, this process did not induce the inflammatory response polarization, resulting in a hybrid macrophage.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a modulação dos macrófagos M1 e M2 após estímulos com diferentes materiais utilizados durante o tratamento endodôntico. Em cultura de células de macrófagos derivados da medula óssea de camundongos machos C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), após a exposição à cinco cimentos endodônticos: AH Plus, Sealapex Xpress, Endosequence BC Sealer, BioRoot RCS e pasta à base de hidróxido de cálcio foi realizada a análise da expressão gênica dos marcadores para macrófagos M1 e M2 por qRT-PCR (Cxcl10, CxCL9, iNOS, Arg1, Chil3, Retnla e MRC1) e quantificação de citocinas por Luminex® (GM -CSF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β e TNF-α). Para valores normais, foi utilizado o teste ANOVA, seguido do pós-teste de Tukey. Para valores não normais, foi utilizado o teste de Kruskall-Wallis. BioRootTM RCS e EndoSequence BC SealerTM estimularam maior expressão de marcadores para macrófagos M1, enquanto a pasta à base de hidróxido de cálcio estimulou expressão mais baixa desses marcadores gênicos. Para o marcador de proteínas para M2, BioRootTM RCS apresentou a maior estimulação, enquanto a pasta à base de hidróxido de cálcio também apresentou menor estimulação. Concluiu-se que os materiais obturadores avaliados aumentaram a expressão genética de marcadores pró- e anti-inflamatórios: TNF-α e IL-10 respectivamente. Os demais marcadores pró inflamatórios mostraram diferenças em relação aos materiais obturadores. No entanto, esse processo não induziu a polarização da resposta inflamatória, resultando em um macrófago híbrido.

Successful and failed mini-implants: microbiological evaluation and quantification of bacterial endotoxin

Abstract Objectives Using two groups of mini-implants (successful and failed) the objectives of this in vivo study were: to evaluate the microbial contamination by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique and to quantify the bacterial endotoxin by the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Material and Methods The 15 successful and 10 failed mini-implants (1.6 mm diameter × 7.0 or 9.0 mm long), placed in the maxilla and/or mandible, were obtained from 15 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Data were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test using the SAS software (a=0.05). Results All 40 microbial species were detected in both groups of mini-implants, with different frequencies. No differences were observed between the groups with respect to microbial complexes (blue, purple, yellow, green, orange, red and other species) and endotoxin quantification (p>0.05). Conclusion Neither microbial contamination nor endotoxin quantification was determinant for the early loss of stability of the mini-implants.